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'Pirates of Penzance' ready for swashbuckling at Peoria Players
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- Published on Tuesday, 10 March 2015 19:14
- Written by Paul Gordon
When one thinks of opera, heavy drama sung by men and women with unbelievably wondrous voices might immediately come...
'Humanity Stew' cooking at Corn Stock
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- Published on Wednesday, 11 February 2015 16:48
- Written by Paul Gordon
Humanity is complex, without question. Emotions run the gamut, often in a very short period of time,...
Corn Stock will 'bare' social issues in winter season opener
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- Published on Tuesday, 23 September 2014 18:01
- Written by Paul Gordon
A musical with the title of “bare” is tantalizing enough, but the fact it is being presented in Corn Stock Theatre’s Winter Playhouse, where edgy is the norm, may tip the curiosity scale for many.
At least Deric Kimler hopes it does.
Movie review: 'Imitation Game' a strong Oscar darkhorse
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- Published on Monday, 09 February 2015 13:38
- Written by Tim Wyman
(9 out of 10 stars)
(114 minutes. Rated PG-13 for sexual references, mature thematic material, and historical smoking)
The dark horse for this...
'Young Frankenstein' comes alive at Eastlight Theatre
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 September 2014 17:04
- Written by Paul Gordon
Many musicals have songs or dialogue that people in the audience know well enough they will notice if there is something different, something changed in the way a certain show presents it. Actors know it and try and make sure they get it right.
But when that musical is based on a popular movie, such as “Young Frankenstein,”...
Life is a 'Cabaret' at Peoria Players Theatre
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- Published on Wednesday, 04 February 2015 17:21
- Written by Paul Gordon
As Broadway musicals go, dark and steamy aren’t words usually associated with those written nearly 50 years ago. “Cabaret” has always been an exception since it debuted in 1966.
That same musical would be tame by today’s standards,...
'Ragtime' takes the stage at Peoria Players
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- Published on Tuesday, 02 September 2014 18:53
- Written by Paul Gordon
The musical “Ragtime” was perhaps the most successful show produced by Peoria Players in the last decade and one of the most enjoyed in the theatre’s long history....
'Other Desert Cities' brings family drama to Corn Stock
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 17:24
- Written by The Peorian
Every family has its dirty laundry, but it is only that of the rich and powerful that make headlines when made public. The collateral damage is often even more devastating and embarrassing.
That is the basic...
'Spamalot' takes to the tent at Corn Stock
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 August 2014 16:55
- Written by The Peorian
If you like Monty Python, get ready to laugh a lot with “Spamalot” at Corn Stock Theatre, starting Friday through Aug. 30 under the tent in Upper...
Peoria Players to come alive with 'The Sound of Music'
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- Published on Wednesday, 03 December 2014 17:21
- Written by Paul Gordon
There are few musicals in existence with more well-known songs than “The Sound of Music.” For decades, this musical based on the true story...
Is there life after 50? The Barn has the answer
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 July 2014 14:43
- Written by The Peorian
'Shape of Things' opens Friday at Corn Stock Winter Playhouse
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- Published on Wednesday, 12 November 2014 16:03
- Written by Paul Gordon
How much would any of us be willing...
'Frog and Toad' hop onto the Corn Stock stage
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- Published on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 17:34
- Written by Paul Gordon
When one hears a show title “A Year With Frog and Toad,” it is natural to think it’s a play for children. Indeed, it is a play derived from a series of Frog and Toad children’s books.
But...
Barn set to open 'An Old-Fashioned Christmas'
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- Published on Wednesday, 05 November 2014 12:55
- Written by The Peorian
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre opens its annual holiday revue on Thursday, Nov. 6, blending “music, comedy and merriment” in a show titled “An Old-Fashioned Christmas.”
Wyatt Earp takes to the Apollo stage
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- Published on Wednesday, 23 July 2014 14:32
- Written by Paul Gordon
Peoria is a long way from Tombstone, Arizona and the OK Corral, where Wyatt Earp became famous for the shootout in which he, his brothers Virgil (the city Marshal) and Morgan and buddy Doc Holliday took down a gang of outlaws in 1881.
Relatively few people know that just nine years earlier Wyatt Earp was arrested four times, right...
'November' brings political satire to Corn Stock
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- Published on Tuesday, 14 October 2014 16:15
- Written by The Peorian
The question of whether playwright David Mamet tries to convey a certain message in his comedy “November” isn’t one that worries Bill Liesse too much.
The play, which opens a six-show run at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corn Stock Theatre’s Winter Playhouse, is political satire at...
'Guys and Dolls' ready to roll the dice at Corn Stock
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- Published on Monday, 07 July 2014 20:45
- Written by Paul Gordon
At the risk of being branded a heretic or something and dragged away, Chip Joyce is changing things around in “Guys and Dolls,” the next show at Corn Stock Theatre.
Now wait: he...
Cat Mixed Chorus presents 'Shrek The Musical'
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- Published on Monday, 06 October 2014 17:41
- Written by Paul Gordon
When the Caterpillar Mixed Chorus decides each year what to produce for its annual musical production, it always look for a family oriented show that audiences of all types would enjoy.
“Shrek The Musical” fit the bill for this year’s production about as well as any show could,...
Corn Stock presents a Simon classic, 'Lost in Yonkers'
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- Published on Tuesday, 17 June 2014 12:05
- Written by Paul Gordon
When Corn Stock Theatre offered Amy Williams the chance to direct the Neil Simon classic “Lost...
'The Odd Couple' takes the stage at Peoria Players
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 October 2014 17:30
- Written by Paul Gordon
When Lana Warner starred in the female version of “The Odd Couple” last year at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield, she began to realize...
'Mary Poppins' set to soar at Eastlight
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- Published on Monday, 16 June 2014 12:43
- Written by Paul Gordon
Many months ago, Robin Hunt and Steve Cordle were having a conversation about musicals that could be stage at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria. Hunt has become one of the region’s most prolific directors, Cordle manages Eastlight and is well-known for his technical prowess.
It was a conversation Hunt is very glad happened. That’s because it led to her being offered to direct “Mary Poppins,” which opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. and continues...
